Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooAchilles Tendon Rupture

A partial or complete tear of the Achilles tendon is called an Achilles tendon rupture. In a partial tear the tendon is torn but still connected to the calf muscles; in a complete tear there is no connection between the calf muscles and the heel bone. Partial tears are rare, so any sudden injury to the Achilles tendon should be treated as a possible complete rupture until it has been checked (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).

A gap can often be felt in the tendon, usually about 4 to 5 cm above the heel bone (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2026). A diagnosis is often made by your doctor feeling along the tendon for any obvious gaps and swelling. They may also do a test where you lie on your front and they squeeze your calf, looking for any foot movement (if your foot moves, your tendon is likely to be intact; no movement is likely to indicate a full rupture). Sometimes an ultrasound or MRI scan is used to check the tendon in more detail (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.; Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).

• If you have chest pain or shortness of breath, call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital.
• Get urgent medical advice if you have sudden cramp-like pain in your calf, thigh or groin, a sudden increase in swelling, or numbness or pins and needles.

• Non-surgical treatment (functional bracing): the leg is placed in a special boot (or sometimes a cast) that holds the foot with the toes pointing down, so the two ends of the tendon sit close together and can heal (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2025). Many UK hospitals now use this for most patients, because research shows similar results to surgery without the risks of an operation (Costa et al., 2020; Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).
• Surgery: an operation to sew the two ends of the tendon back together, which may be considered in particular situations, such as when treatment is delayed, if the tendon has torn again, or for elite athletes (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).

Whichever treatment you have, follow your hospital team's own instructions about your boot or cast, weight-bearing, exercises and follow-up appointments.

Rehabilitation with a physiotherapist is a very important part of recovery (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2026). Your ankle is likely to be stiff and there may be some swelling around the foot and ankle. The tendon stays vulnerable for some time, and sudden loading (such as tripping, or jumping down from a height) can cause it to tear again (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).

• Work on the other leg, hips and low back, and the shoulders and arms if you're on crutches
• Gentle lymphatic drainage above the boot to help with swelling, and elevating the leg when you can
• Hip, knee and toe exercises, with gentle pain-free calf tightening if your team allows it

• Hands-on work for the calf, and around the scar once it has healed if you had surgery, to help the tissue heal and keep moving
• Gentle calf stretching only once your team says the tendon is ready, with the knee straight and bent
• Resistance-band work and seated heel raises, then standing heel raises on two legs, later on one
• Mini-squats, partial lunges and balance work, once walking is comfortable
• Stationary bike and level walking first, slopes and stairs later

• Heavier calf strengthening, including gym-based work, and harder balance work
• Later, a graded return to jogging and sport-specific drills
• Return to sport is often around five to six months, but only once your hospital team agrees

Warming up properly and keeping the calf strong and supple helps reduce the risk of tearing it again. If you have chest pain or shortness of breath, call 911. If you get sudden cramp-like pain in your calf or new swelling, get urgent medical advice (see Warning Signs to Look Out For).